I confess, I was not always a fitness nut. There was a time when I was more regimented about my after dinner drink schedule than my workouts, but after having a couple of kids it was obvious that my priorities had to change. Wanting to find both a release from the pressures of motherhood and a way to lose the post baby pounds, I thought I’d give running a try.

Like most women, I found that as soon as I committed myself I was “off and running” so to speak. I was feeling good, moving down dress sizes, sleeping great and then it happened. One day I just found that I didn’t feel like lacing up the old running shoes. In retrospect, it was all Paris Hilton’s fault. Alright, I know, it was my own fault. I had let myself fall into an exercise rut. Like so many of us fast out of the gate, I was heading straight for a wall. One day off became two and before you know it, I wasn’t far from where I started, not a happy place to be. What I needed was a way to fool myself into commitment. It was around this time I found it, the 5K.

Race For The Cure was coming up and I was ready. Why not? It’s only a little over 3 miles, it’s for a great cause, AND you get a free shirt. Not too shabby I thought. I signed up with a couple of friends and penciled the date on my calendar. “I am a racer”, cool…wow… WAIT! “I am a racer?” “What was I thinking?” Racers are all skinny and muscle -y. They eat tons of pasta and wear really little shorts. How could I EVER run in a real race? But there was no way out. My friends wouldn’t let me live it down if I canceled out on them now. I decided to do the only thing I could. Train.

I ran the next day and then the day after. There was no way I would be last. I will become a runner. Every day that I felt like rolling over under the covers and turning on the Today Show, I thought of myself, all red-faced, huffing and puffing my way toward the finish line dead last, and you know what? I would jump right out of bed and out the door I’d run. When we got to the race, I ran the whole time. I was a lot closer to the back than the front, but it didn’t matter. I had accomplished something besides wiping a 6 month olds bottom, and it felt GREAT! What in the world was I worried about? Why had no one told me about this before?

I signed right up for another, and then another, I just couldn’t stop. I bought a baby jogger so I could take my sons with me and now my husband joins us from time to time. What started as a way to trick myself into staying motivated has become a way to stay in shape, spend time with my family, and relieve stress. Not only have 5K’s changed me for the better, they also set a great example for my children. They are growing up to see that taking care of your health is an important commitment. As an added bonus, many races are held as fund raiser for non-profit organizations so they are also being exposed to different charities and learning about why it is important for people to help one another.

If you are trying to get into shape, or maybe lose some post baby pounds, think of road races as a great way to stay motivated. The average person who has never run a day in their life could still tackle a little over 3 miles in about an hour, not too bad. Many races also offer a one mile “fun run” if you want to test the water. Just think of it, daily inspiration to exercise, time with your husband and kids, helping others AND you will never be at a shortage for white t-shirts again! What other family activity can promise that?